Has Financial Development Made The World Riskier

Financial development has been a driving force behind the growth and prosperity of nations for centuries. It has facilitated the creation of businesses, enabled entrepreneurs to invest in new startup ideas, and allowed consumers to access a wider range of financial products and services. However, as financial markets have become more complex and interconnected, there are concerns that financial development has also made the world riskier. In this article, we will explore whether financial development has indeed increased risk in the world and the potential consequences of this increased risk.

But first, let’s define what we mean by financial development. 

What is Financial Development

Financial development refers to the expansion of financial systems, including the creation and growth of financial institutions and markets. This can take many forms, including the development of banking systems, the emergence of new financial products, and the growth of stock and bond markets. Financial development is often associated with economic growth, enabling startups, businesses and individuals. Thanks to financial development, startups today have access to the startup funding they need to expand their operations.

Reasons Why Financial Development Has Made The World Riskier.

One of the key arguments against financial development is that it can lead to greater systemic risk. Systemic risk refers to the risk of a collapse in the financial system that can have far-reaching consequences for the broader economy. When financial systems are more interconnected, as they are in today’s global economy, a failure in one part of the system can have cascading effects throughout the rest of the system.

One example of this was the global financial crisis of 2008, which was triggered by the collapse of the US housing market. The collapse of the housing market led to a wave of defaults on mortgages and mortgage-backed securities, which in turn led to the collapse of several major financial institutions, including Lehman Brothers. The collapse of these institutions had significant knock-on effects throughout the global economy, leading to a severe recession in many countries.

While the 2008 crisis is a clear example of the risks associated with financial development, it is worth noting that not all financial crises are caused by financial development. Other factors, such as external economic shocks or policy failures, can also cause crises. However, the growth and development of financial systems can increase the likelihood and severity of financial crises.

One reason why financial development can increase systemic risk is that it creates greater interconnectedness between financial institutions and markets. When financial institutions are more interconnected, a failure in one institution can quickly spread to other institutions. This can create a domino effect that can lead to a systemic collapse.

Another reason why financial development can increase systemic risk is that it can create complex and opaque financial instruments that are difficult to value and understand. One example of this is the market for collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), which played a key role in the 2008 financial crisis. CDOs are securities backed by a pool of underlying assets, such as mortgages. These securities can be divided into different tranches with different levels of risk and return. While CDOs can provide investors with greater diversification and higher returns, they can also be difficult to value and may contain hidden risks.

In addition to systemic risk, financial development can also increase other types of risk. For example, it can lead to greater market volatility and the potential for asset bubbles. As more investors enter a market, the price of assets used for raising finance can become disconnected from their underlying fundamentals. This can create an asset bubble, where the price of an asset is driven up by speculation rather than by its true value. When the bubble bursts, as it inevitably does, it can lead to significant losses for investors and a broader economic downturn.

Financial development can also create moral hazard, where individuals or institutions take on greater risks because they believe they will be bailed out if things go wrong. This can create a “too big to fail” problem, where the failure of a large institution could have significant consequences for the broader economy, leading policymakers to bail out the institution rather than allow it to fail. This can create a moral hazard problem, as it encourages risk-taking behaviour and can lead to excessive risk-taking by financial institutions.

Benefits of Financial Development

Despite the potential risks associated with financial development, it is important to note that it also has many benefits. For example, it can increase access to financial services, which can help to reduce poverty and promote economic growth. Financial development also enables fundraising for startups and allows businesses to raise funds they need to invest in new ventures, which can lead to the growth of startup businesses, thereby enabling job creation and economic growth.

However, it is important to recognize that financial development is not an end in itself. Rather, it is a means to an end, and its benefits should be balanced against its potential risks. This requires carefully balancing the benefits and risks of financial development and focusing on risk management and financial regulation to minimize the potential risks.

Managing The Risks Associated With Financial Development

One way to manage the risks associated with financial development is to improve risk management practices within financial institutions. This can include measures such as stress testing, where institutions must test the resilience of their balance sheets under a range of adverse scenarios. It can also involve improving transparency and disclosure so that investors better understand the risks associated with the financial products they are investing in.

Another way to manage the risks associated with financial development is to improve the regulation and supervision of financial institutions. This can include measures such as raising capital requirements, which require financial institutions to hold a minimum level of capital to absorb losses. It can also include measures such as limits on leverage, which can help prevent financial institutions’ excessive risk-taking.

In addition, it is important to promote financial literacy among consumers so that they have a better understanding of the risks associated with different financial products. This can help prevent consumers from taking on excessive debt or investing in complex financial instruments they do not understand.

Conclusion

While financial development has been a driving force behind the growth and prosperity of nations, there are concerns that it has also made the world riskier. Financial development can increase systemic risk, market volatility, and the potential for asset bubbles. However, it is important to recognize that financial development also has many benefits, including increased access to financial services and raising capital for businesses. However, the risks associated with financial development can be minimized by focusing on risk management, regulation, and financial literacy. By taking a balanced approach to financial development, we can harness its benefits while minimizing potential risks.